Kenny Chesney Deserves Fairness From Media
Why are some segments of the media painting Kenny Chesney as a hypocrite after expressing his opinion about the Academy of Country Music's entertainer of the year award being turned into a fan-voted honor? Although he criticized the ACM's recent decision to have fans decide the winner through online voting, he never once claimed (or otherwise hinted) that he hadn't used his Web site and fan club to campaign for votes.
The suggestion that Chesney was being hypocritical was raised in an Associated Press story that was later used as a point of reference for a blog on the Los Angeles Times' Web site. The truth is that banner ads and messages to promote voting were prominently featured on the official Web sites of all five of the entertainer of the year nominees -- including George Strait, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts. Regardless of how it's decided, the entertainer of the year award provides a level of prestige and bragging rights, so who could blame the artists and their handlers for trying to win?
Chesney's point was that artists being forced to lobby and beg for votes is "what they've lowered us to, to get entertainer of the year." Although Brad Paisley doesn't care how the winner is determined, he acknowledged backstage that various artists "have different levels of organization in their fan clubs and the ability to win an award."
I was in the pressroom at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas and was stunned by Chesney's candor in answering the question asked by Peter Cooper of The Tennessean newspaper. And, trust me, I didn't feel the vibe that Chesney was dissing his fans -- or any country fans -- in making what he referred to as "an industry complaint."
In a letter to fans, Chesney says his views on the fan voting are "something an awful lot of artists and business people have told me they not only agree with, but something the entire media room applauded pretty resoundingly after I addressed it Sunday night." (You can read Chesney's letter by clicking on the "news" icon on his official Web site.)
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Billie says:
I wish everybody would read this article closely, and all the other ones and realize what Kenny was saying. That way everyone could come to thier senses,quit critizing him, and realize he is right. Just my opinion though.
TNgirl says:
Kenny has wrote a letter to his fans on his web site everyone should go read it.. Kenny is a CLASSY MAN!
Larry says:
I like Kenny, but I thought his comments at the awards was at least strange and at most ungrateful….He was very critical of how the award is decided but ran banners on his site asking for votes from the fans….strange….
Catherine says:
I did not see the show, but after reading this I could understand. I thought the ACM was supposed to be about an award given from the industry which would mean so much more to an entertainer than an American Idol Award when the fans call in. I thought an ACM was about the business, the players nominating a talented artist. If you turn the award into a fan based award, that takes so much away from the Award and the Artist that receives it.
I think the fans have an award that already covers this called the People’s Choice Award.
An ACM Award should come from the professionals in the business and not the fans in my opinion.
I support what he said and I don’t think it affects fans of any performer.
C.
Madi says:
I’ve never been a Kenny Chesney fan but he is dead on with his comments. Congratulations to him for having the guts to say that the voting was unfair. He knows that one of the other candidates toured more, gave more incredible concerts and poured his heart and soul into entertaining his fans. His honesty is refreshing.
Catherine says:
Kenny Chesney Deserves Fairness From Media
I am obviously a fan but I don’t understand why he would have to put out anything on his website about this.
The news just reported that he severely injured his foot and he is on pain medication. He didn’t cancel any shows. How much more can a performer be devoted to his fans than that?
Maybe, his pain medication and a few drinks at the show may have made him say something he may of thought but would not have said, who knows and does it really matter?
C.
Gladys says:
I am a Kenny a fan and he is right. I too was against fans voting for such a prestigious award. The academy should reserve fan voting for New Artist of the Year awards and such. Those are the people who would benefit more form know which way the fans go. Plus it would really boost their moral.
I would also like to say to say to say that the Academy did not leave Kenny or his fans with a reasonable choice. For the CMT Awards, Kenny did not campaign and look what happened. What do you want him to do sit with his hands between his legs.
michelle says:
I don’t know…How do you criticize the Academy yet put banners ALL OVER your sites to vote for you? I think the pain meds are messin’ with ya, honey!
Just enjoy the win and all the fans that pay good $ to see you.
Peace!
Cali Girl says:
I think that Kenny was honest about his feelings regarding this award and he shouldn’t be punished or criticized for his honesty and integrity. He is a tremendous performer and songwriter - let’s appreciate the gifts he gives and stop being so quick to attack celebrities who are brave enough to speak their minds on important issues.
Debbie says:
I have known Kenny for years. My mom and I are caterers and we have feed Kenny and his crew many,many times. I have always known that he does love his fans but still, he is a little cocky,a snob and if wasn’t for his fans he would be nothing.
I think next time he should think before opening his mouth.
I agree that maybe his pain meds. and mixing with a few to many beers.
Didi says:
Hey, at least he’s not spewing political propaganda. He has a legitimate complaint and I can see his point. More power to him for standing up for the integrity of the award. I’ll still support him.
kayefun says:
The MEDIA - years ago, journalism schools were taught to report the story (facts) and let people make up their own mind. Now the media ‘angles’ or ’slants’ stories, practices the sins of ommisions, half-truths, and often media people are involved in the story vs. a reporting bystander which brings me to MEDIA FAIRNESS and balanced reporting -
Please name me five news/celebrity stories in the past week that show media fairness and balanced coverage? (and told the complete truth).
Kenny could have made his first statement with more clarity to get his point across, that doesn’t take away from he has been MEDIA ambushed. That’s the plain and simple of it. Since it is not his first ambush (thinking back on the MEDIA ambush of his personal life); I think Kenny, sadly, will have to use immense caution with the MEDIA monsters. While Kenny may lose a battle, I’m hoping he wins the war by selling a lot of music…..the best revenge is to keep on doing well!
Kelly says:
Kudos to you CMT!! So many media outlets are trying to portray Kenny poorly… only writing a portion of what he said backstage and (as usual) not telling the whole truth. While we weren’t there, his fans know how he feels about us, winning/the award, and the point he was trying to get across in his statements - not what it’s been turned into. I agree whole-heartedly with him. And while I did vote for him, fan voting changes the award’s credibility/meaning that so many artists and their crew put their blood, sweat, tears, hearts and souls into winning. A separate American Idol-esque/People’s Choice award should be implemented where fans can vote, no doubt. Just don’t take away from this one. Either way, he won the award fair and square. Congrats to the hardest working gentlemen and staff out there… see you tonight in Grand Rapids, MI!!
Barbie says:
Its takes a lot of courage to be able to stand up there and say what Kenny did. I completely agree with what he said. It was a slap in the face to have the fans vote for that award, all its saying is that industry didn’t want the responsibilty. I applaude him for taking the risk in saying what he feels. His “TRUE FANS” know that he wasn’t dissing them and that is isn’t grateful for the award. I mean come on, he seriously hurt his foot not to long ago and continued with his tour when other acts would have taken some time off, give the guy a break.
Sara says:
I am a HUGE Kenny Chesney fan and I did not take his comment as any kind of insult to the fans. He is absolutely right that this award, which is the most prestigious, should be voted on by the music industry (or whomever used to vote on it). Please don’t belittle to the American Idol or other call-in shows. Thanks Kenny for your integrity!
Loretta says:
How much does Kenny know what is going on with his sights for his fans. He said he was against fan voting then why was his you tube and myspace asking for votes. If he didn’t know hat was going on that also says something about him as parson. These are his sights he should know everything about them unless the sights are not his list of things to care about. Not trying to cut the guy down to much. I do like his music. One more thing he has fans who are just kids. When they herd all of this some might not understand where he was coming from wanting to win the same way everyone in the past has.
Bettye says:
I belong to a fan club and received an e-mail to vote for that entertainer. I also received an “unsolicited” e-mail to vote for Kenny from AEG. I have purchased a ticket for a Kenny Chesney concert. I suppose that’s how they got my e-mail address. Think how many e-mails that adds up to. Is Kenny’s public criticism of the award process misdirected? Probably not. Is it a little hypocritical? I think so.
Elaine says:
Kenny NEVER said that he didn’t “compete” for votes. He did the banners and the emails and asked his fans to vote. What he is saying is that it shouldn’t be neccessary for artists (including himself) to lower themselves to chasing votes. Giving things away, etc, is lowering the integrity of EVERY ARTIST in the running. Keith Urban, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, and Rascal Flatts: These are the TOP performers in this industry. The Academy of Country Music lowered the standard by allowing fans to decide. They forced artists to compete against each other as if they were high school students campaigning for an election! I myself am a huge fan of ALL of the artists. I do believe that in the next few years, Rascal Flatts WILL WIN the Entertainer of the Year Award. When they do, it will mean more if they win it with integrity and credibility.
Dagenham Dave says:
Why can’t people see, even now, that the man is a total d-bag? Oh, yeah, let’s marginalize (and burn their records, and THREATEN THEIR LIVES) the careers of a trio of women who have more talent in their collective little fingers than Mr. Chesney will ever possess in his entire life for calling out our war criminal president, but when this “musician” fwows himsewf a widdle hissy fit because he didn’t like that the great unwashed masses were singularly responsible for whether he won or lost the award, and then he, um, WINS THE AWARD… people write puff pieces about how the media and bloggers are being “unfair” to this noble, long-suffering Artist of the People? Nice going, mainstream country radio! Good on ya! And, really, if he felt that the whole process was beneath him, the most effective way for him to deal with it would be to forbid ANY campaigning on his behalf to be done at all.
What a total tool. (But it’s not like I didn’t already know that.)
Angie says:
As I stand here…yes STAND..I applauded Kenny for his “guts” to say what he was feeling and thinking!!! I agree with him 100%…what does he have to gain by making this comment??? His has the number 1 country concert, and coming in 2nd in all other genders….with the most sold out shows…therefore; probably the most fan base artist and he is asking for this award not to be in the hands of the fans….which you know he will win hands down!!! When I hear this I do not take it as a fan bash…but as someone asking that his hard work and commitment from his band and crew be recongized for what it is…not as a popularity contest!! As far as his site asking for votes…why would he not…you have Rascal Flats giving away free downloads and other artist asking for votes, he would be a fool not to play the game…but the important thing is that he stood up and gave his opion, when it was asked..I might add!!! Winning the award is very important to him and it gave him the chance to speak freely without being accused of being a poor loser!!! Which you know the media would have had a feild day with. So in ending…Kenny if you read this..my hat is off to you!! I travelled from Halifax Nova Scotia to Denver Colorado to see you and you deserve to win this award..so be pround and loud!!!! Love ya!!
TXproud says:
Kenny is a great singer, I would not say he is my favorite because I am older and still like the older singers more but Kenny spoke the words I was thinking. I DO NOT THINK
TXproud says:
Kenny is a great singer, I would not say he is my favorite because I am older and still like the older singers more but Kenny spoke the words I was thinking. I DO NOT THINK
he was being disrespectful to his fans at all. This award should have been decided on by the industry not us. What if we had all voted on someone that had not put their all into their performances or had not had as many number one songs, etc.
Jen says:
I did not vote for Kenny although I do enjoy his music. I agree 100% with what he said. It was so ridiculous having to try and vote numerous times to ensure a win for my favorite. Just knowing that another nominee was out there buying votes was so frustrating and unfair. I read that the academy disallowed all those ‘paid for’ votes. The fans were in no position to vote for this. How many of them had even seen more than 1 of the nominees shows? How can you judge fairly if you hadn’t seen them all.
lea says:
I am not a big fan of his music,but,he can sure sell hype when he wants to.Retreat to Malibu, you like being with other celebs more than you want people to know. Anything to pump up more ego.
Dave-thepostoreason says:
He does NOT have the Number Country Concert, you just believe that because it’s spoon-fed by the industry, and you people call these morons people with integrity? Joke much! “and coming in 2nd in all other genders” - I have to agree there though, I don’t think even he knows what gender he is. If you’re talking about GENRES, he’s nowhere near #2 for tour sales. You don’t make even the top 5 tour sales with only MOST shows sold out, you have to have ALL of them sold out. Kenny’s Tour was 4th overall, that’s nowhere near Number 2 in the grand scheme of things. If he knew he would win hands down, then he wouldn’t complain about the method, now would he? ALL of the award shows are popularity contests, be them voted by an industry of “suits” who never see one show or if they’re voted on by fans, it’s STILL a popularity contest.
You people need to get through your thick skulls that the Rascal Flatts site only, only, ONLY, gave away ONE MP3 to FAN CLUB MEMBERS ONLY. No one besides the webmaster/ Admin of rascalflatts.com knows who actually clicked on that link or downloaded the MP3. It only happened for ONE day and it wasn’t against any rules, so get over it! The only logical explanation for that is(and I realize how uncomfortable ya’ll are with logic), the ACMs voided ALL of RF’s votes, because they don’t know diddley about who clicked on which voting link. So you should be thanking your not-so-lucky stars that Rascal Flatts votes were obliterated, otherwise KC - your fave, wouldn’t have even seen that award. If this loser wants to talk about the media “spinning things,” how about the MEDIA personality that asked him the pointed questions in the first place in order to pit country artists against each other. Kenny walked right into the trap so he has ZERO room to talk about how “the bad media” makes him look. He did it to himself.
Instead of vilifying his own “fans,” he was vilifying RF and THEIR fans, wow, big difference. Like ya’ll would know what an artist who put their “all” into performances were, you like this loser don’t you? I rest my case. If you didn’t agree with it, then you shouldn’t have voted, which makes you just as much of a hypocrite as he is.
Stephanie says:
Wow, Dave, anger issues? I’m a Kenny Chesney fan but I will agree with the hypocricy in his openly opposing the award show’s tactics yet still promoting himself for votes. However I disagree with your need to so thoroughly bash him and his fans in your post. A great entertainer is comprised of more then just his or her musical talent alone, it also comes from their ability to ENTERTAIN people. Hence ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR. And entertaining is one thing Kenny Chesney does. I’ve been to his concert, I’ve seen it. As does Garth Brooks. Alabama. Brooks & Dunn…and of course Rascal Flatts. And the list goes on and on. It’s different for everyone but that doesn’t necessarily mean that one is more (or less) important then the other. If something about that person does it for you then to me that is enough to make them great. Don’t bring down everyone else just to make yourself feel like a big man, the ability to throw out a few wordy insults doesn’t mean you’re an expert on the subject. And to be honest, it doesn’t impress me. By the comments in your post I’m going to guess that you are a Rascal Flatts fan, I would hope that the Kenny Chesney fans on this site show you more respect for who you choose to like then you have shown them, in spite of the fact that you clearly do not deserve it.
Angie says:
Well said Stephanie….everyone has an opion on the matter!!! Does not make them right or wrong!! Excuse me Dave for a slip of the finger with my typing of “Genres”!! My god you have some serious issues!!!! Jealousy is a very ugle characterist of a person and although I have never met you or seen you…I think you can finished that thought!!!!
I have seen Kenny, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Rascal Flats concerts and Kenny was the best show..so my vote was based on that!! I am a hugh country fan and yes Kenny is my fav and I have no problem showing it…he deserves all the success he has accomplished. There is no point in getting so upset over the facts…he won the award 3 other times and he earned it for the 4th year again and probably will earn it next year if he continues to bring to his shows what he does!!!
Anna says:
I love Kenny!! I agree with him totally. He never lets the fans down.
michelle says:
I AGREE WITH KENNY AND UNDERSTAND THE REASON BEHIND HIS COMMENT. I DO FEEL HE EARNED THAT TITLE. I DO BELIEVE THIS AWARD SHOULD BE VOTED ON LIKE IT HAS IN THE PAST YEARS IN ALL FAIRNESS. ITS MORE THAN THE PERSON THEMSELVES THAT THE AWARD GOES TO YOUR WHOLE BAND AND CREW MANAGERS WRITERS WORK HARD TO GET TO THIS POINT AND IT NEEDS TO BE JUDGED NOT SOLELY ON FAVORITES BY FANS BUT BY THE INDUSTRY WHO SEES THINGS WE AS FANS DONT SEE. IM A BIG KENNY FAN AND I THINK HE WOULD HAVE WON IT WITH OR WITHOUT THE FANS BECAUSE HE PUTS HIS NAME OUT THERE AND MAKES SURE ALL HIS FANS GET A GREAT ALBUMS, SHOWS, AND HE HIMSELF WORKS HARD ON THE SHOWS HIMSELF TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS FUN. YOU DO NOT SEE MANY C. SINGERS OUT IN THE PARKING LOT WITH THERE FANS BUT HE DOES BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE FANS ARE THE ONES THE GIVE HIM THE STRIVE AND AMBITION TO DO WHAT HE DOES.
I SAY GO KENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
linda says:
i have never been a kenny fan but i will say we as fans have sense enough to know how hard they have to work to get where they are. we as fans like the country music these artists put out and i think that is showing that the fans really appreciate his hard work. for some of us that do not care for him it is showing that he has alot of support from his fans.
thanks from nc
Linda; in Texas says:
Once again Kenny Chesney has done something that made me respect him a little bit more. He shows respect for peers that have been in the business for years, entertainers that he has learned from. Although personally I don’t care for most of his music, I like what I am seeing in the way he treats others. And so, I took interest in his comments. In this case he was RIGHT ON, and I am proud of him for making it, and I totally agree with him. The ACM EOTY and all their awards should be industry voted - not fan voted. In addition, no way can on-line voting be fair, I know of one fan who voted over 300 times. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Did Kenny deserve EOTY a fourth time? It’s personal preference if it’s fan voted, isn’t it. In MY opinion - no. Did Garth Brooks deserve it? — Heck NO. The qualities of the entertainer, and the accomplishments have to be judged by those who make a living in the industry, otherwise it’s just another popularity contest. I don’t think we need any more of those.
My biggest complaint –WHERE THE HECK WAS THE “COUNTRY MUSIC?” I heard only a few artists who qualify as ‘COUNTRY.’ So, in more ways then one the ACMS proved once again what a ridiculous farce it is. That’s why my TV was muted a large part of the time. Why did I watch it then? Because my favorite singer was singing - twice, and oh my gawd was he great. So thank you ACMS.. for that gift, at least.
Eric says:
WOW! I can’t believe what people are saying on here!
Dave– If you actually read articles about him, Kenny DID have the #1 Country Tour and he DID have the #2 tour in ALL genres. You really need to get your facts straight… Also, if you don’t believe me, I have prove. I run a Kenny Chesney fansite and I have articles on it!
Also, for the people are bashing Kenny for what he said, you obviously don’t understand any of this. Kenny is upset about this whole thing because the ACM’s are an INDUSTRY award show, NOT a fan-voted award show… And having the biggest award of the night and having the award that every artist sacrifices to get, is just a complete disrespect of both the industry and the artist who wins it.
Kenny is not disrespecting anybody and he his comments weren’t towards any other artist or his fans. His comments were toward the ACM industry. So quit being rude about it and just let it go. Ya’ll are making his bigger than it should be!
Kay says:
I agree with why Kenny said it should not be fan voted. Because of several reasons.. one being one nominee was buying votes for a free music download, but also one nominee solicited votes from the Elvis Insiders Fan Club. These votes were from Elvis’fans not nominee fans….It just seemed to be a contest of which nominee could reach the most people on the internet to vote..even if they had never been to a concert before or even listen to country music!!
Angie; from Nova Scotia says:
Nicely said Eric!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shelby says:
i am a big kenny fan an i have been backsatge with him
love
ya
shelby
John says:
Chesney is an arrogant jerk. Just saw him in concert at a music festival. He was the highest paid act, and the worst performance. He wouldn’t allow photos, no meet and greet, only agreed to play 55 minutes when everyone else was well over an hour, and didn’t even looked like he cared. BIG DISSAPPOINTMENT.
will says:
Here is a quote kenny once said
“I’m not signing a fucking thing. You got meet and greet tickets, so you can hang around back here, but I’m not signing a fucking thing.”
Angie says:
I love Kenny and he loves his fans!!! He is the only celeb. that has ever return a letter thanking me for my support and coming to his shows. I understand it was probably just his staff doing so….however, it was done!!!!
mary headrick says:
you are so hot kenny chesney.i love your music
tricia says:
jUST FOUND OUT MY BEST FRIEND HAS BEEN DATING KENNY CHESNEY FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. tHEY WILL MAKE A GREAT CCOUPLE. bOTH GOOD LOOKING WITH GREAT BODIES. cARING FUN PEOPLE WHO LOVE SPORTS. tHEY MAY EACH finally get want they deserve!